'''Korsakov''' (Russian: Корсаков, Japanese: 大泊) is a port town of 36.652 people, in [[Sakhalin Oblast]], [[Russia]]. It is located on the shores of Anniva bay, on the southern tip on the island, some 42 km south of [[Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk]], the islands principal city. While rather drab, with few things to entertain the visitor, it does host one of the two ferry connections between [[Russia]] and [[Japan]].

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'''Korsakov''' [http://www.sakh-korsakov.ru/] ([[Russian phrasebook|Russian]]: Корса́ков, ''kahr-SAH-kuhf''; [[Japanese phrasebook|Japanese]]: 大泊) is a port town of 36.652 people in [[Sakhalin Oblast]], [[Russia]]. It is located at the southern tip of the island on the shores of Anniva Bay, some 42 km south of the island's primary city of [[Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk]]. While rather drab, with few things to entertain the visitor, it does host one of the two ferry connections between [[Russia]] and [[Japan]].

==Get in==

==Get in==

===By train===

===By train===

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{{infobox|Further information available|See also the itinerary [[Russia to Japan via Sakhalin]] for more information on the northern connection between the Trans Siberian railway and Japan}}

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{{infobox|box_width = 100px|Further information available|See also the itinerary [[Russia to Japan via Sakhalin]] for more information on the northern connection between the Trans Siberian railway and Japan}}

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While there are connections by a Japanese build narrow gorge railway, running along the coastline from [[Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk]], where the islands main airport is placed. Services are random and far between - buses are far more convenient. If the train is your thing, there were 3 daily scheduled departures at the time of writing, departing Yuzhno Sakhalinsk at 05:30,13:45 and 19:44.

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There are connections to [[Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk]] and the island's main airport by a Japanese built narrow gauge railway, but services are random and far between – buses are far more convenient. If the train is your thing, there were 3 daily scheduled departures at the time of writing, departing Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk at 05:30, 13:45 and 19:44.

===By bus===

===By bus===

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There are both scheduled, and - leave when full - mini bus connections between [[Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk]] and Korsakov. both depart for Korsakov in front of the Yuzhno-Sakhalin railway station. Mini buses are the most convenient, ask around the different drivers, they will point you to the right bus. Journey time ranges between 30 to 60 minutes depending on the driver and traffic conditions, and the price is around 200 Rubles. Public bus 115 takes 90 minutes for the same trip, and costs around half.

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There are both scheduled and "leave when full" minibus connections between [[Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk]] and Korsakov. Both depart in front of the Yuzhno-Sakhalin railway station. Minibuses are the most convenient: ask around with the different drivers, they will point you to the right bus. Journey time ranges between 30 to 60 minutes depending on the driver and traffic conditions, and the price is around 200 RUB. The public bus 115 takes 90 minutes for the same trip, and costs around 100 RUB.

Ferry's depart for [[Wakkanai]] on [[Hokkaido]], [[Japan]], from the sea terminal (Морвокзал) on the southern pier (Южно порт). Ticket sales in Korsakov are handled by the Inflot agency, their office is on the 1st floor of the the large 3 story ''Upravlinie'' building next to the sea terminal. The ferry is Japanese operated, by the Heartland Ferry company.[http://www.heartlandferry.jp/english/]

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Ferries depart for [[Wakkanai]] on [[Hokkaido]], [[Japan]], from the sea terminal (Морвокзал) on the southern pier (Южно порт), Service is limited to late May-early June through to late September-early October (varies every year), due to ice conditions in the strait. Ticket sales in Korsakov are handled by the Inflot agency, whose office is on the 1st floor of the the large 3 story ''Upravlinie'' building next to the sea terminal. The ferry is Japanese operated by the ''Heartland Ferry'' company [http://www.heartlandferry.jp/english/].

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If you arrive by ferry to Sakhalin, it is highly recommended to have some Russian rubles with you. There are no exchange facilities and no ATM machines in the terminal. Note that you will probably need a taxi to take you to the bus station to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. You can exchange some Russian rubles in the banks in Wakkanai (ask around).

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'''Yuzhno-Kurilsk, Kuriles islands'''

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'''Yuzhno-Kurilsk, Kurile Islands''' –

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There is a ferry service between Korsakov and [[Yuzhno-Kurilsk]] on [[Kunashir]] island in the [[Kurils]], operated by the ''Igor Farkhutdinov'' passenger vessel, however there is no set schedule, as the ship departs only when there is freight to carry, the only way to buy tickets are through a tour agency on Sakhalin.

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There is a ferry service between Korsakov and [[Yuzhno-Kurilsk]] on [[Kunashir]] Island in the [[Kurils]], operated by the ''Igor Farkhutdinov'' passenger vessel, however there is no set schedule, as the ship departs only when there is freight to carry, the only way to buy tickets are through a tour agency on Sakhalin.

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'''Mainland Russia''' There are also ferry services on combined freight/passenger ships, to and from the mainland, but schedules and let alone tickets, are very hard to come by if you don't speak Russian, a much easier option to the mainland, is to take the daily scheduled ferry from [[Kholmsk]].

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'''Mainland Russia''' –

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There are also ferry services on combined freight/passenger ships to and from the mainland, but schedules and tickets are very hard to come by if you don't speak Russian. A much easier option to the mainland is the daily scheduled ferry from [[Kholmsk]].

==Get around==

==Get around==

[[Image:korsakov_map.png|thumb|300px|Map of Korsakov]]

[[Image:korsakov_map.png|thumb|300px|Map of Korsakov]]

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Unscheduled minibuses and taxi's provide the city's quite limited transportation. However the town is compact, and you can easily cover most places on foot.

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Unscheduled minibuses and taxis provide the city's quite limited transportation. However, the town is compact, and you can easily cover most places on foot.

==See==

==See==

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[[Image:korsakov.jpg|thumb|300px|Korsakov habour]]

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There is very little in the way of sights in Korsakov, although there is a great view over the harbor, along with an uninspiring monument, on the hill just behind the sea terminal. The main drag, Sovetskaya Street, is lined with small street stalls during spring and summer months, selling fresh fruits and vegetables. (According to a wikipedian, the strawberries are particularly good.)

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There are very little in the way of sights in Korsakov. But there is a great view over the harbor, along with an uninspiring monument, on the hill just behind the sea terminal. The main drag Sovetskaya street are lined with small street stalls during spring and summer months, selling fresh fruits and vegetables, according to a wikipedian the strawberries are particularly good.

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* <see name="Korsakov History Museum" alt="" address="22 Krasnoflotskaya St. " directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">The city also has a small museum with exhibitions about the Japanese possession (1905-1940)

* <see name="Old Hokkaido Takushoku Bank" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">This crumbling building on the south eastern corner of the city park, is one of the only visible remains of the Japanese possession of the city. Efforts to convert the building into a museum have yet bear fruit, and the doors and windows have been barred.

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* <see name="Old Hokkaido Takushoku Bank" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">This crumbling building at the southeastern corner of the city park is one of the only visible remains of the Japanese possession of the city. Efforts to convert the building into a museum have yet to bear fruit, and the doors and windows have been barred.

</see>

</see>

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Outside Korsakov there is a few beaches at the hamlets of Okhotsk (about 1 hour) and Prigorodnoye (about 30 minutes) which also hosts a few Japanese war monuments. But access to both of these sights, requires a car or taxi.

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Outside Korsakov there are a few beaches at the hamlets of Okhotsk (about 1 hour) and Prigorodnoye (about 30 minutes) which also host a few Japanese war monuments. Access to both of these sights requires a car or taxi.

==Eat==

==Eat==

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There is a few restaurants located along the the main drag, Sovetskaya Street - going south from the central Lenin square.

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There are a few restaurants located along Sovetskaya Street, going south from the central Lenin square. The restaurant inside Hotel Alfa has an English menu, with a selection of traditional Russian cuisine

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* '''Hotel Alfa''' The restaurant inside Hotel Alfa has an English menu, with a selection of traditional Russian cuisine

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==Drink==

==Drink==

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* <drink name="Penguin bar" alt="" address="9 Oktyabirskaya St" directions="" phone="(42435) 2-28-18" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">The Penguin pub is located in a local brewery, and carries locally produced beer on tab. The menu is rather limited, a few sandwiches and assorted bar food. It's a short walk of the sea terminal, you may even meat the occasional foreign oil worker or seaman here if you are extremely lucky.</drink>

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[[Image:korsakov.jpg|thumb|300px|Korsakov harbor]]

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* <drink name="Penguin Bar" alt="" address="9 Oktyabirskaya St" directions="" phone="(42435) 2-28-18" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">The Penguin pub is located in a local brewery, and carries locally produced beer on tap. The menu is rather limited: a few sandwiches and assorted bar food. It's a short walk from the sea terminal, and you may even meet the occasional foreign oil worker or seaman here if you are extremely lucky.</drink>

==Sleep==

==Sleep==

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* <sleep name="Hotel Alfa" alt="" address="31 Krasnoflotskaya St" directions="at the nortwestern end of lenin square" phone="+7 (42435) 4-10-10" email="" fax="" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="Rates start from 5600 RUB, but discounts may be available if you talk to the manager, who speaks fairly good English.">Is the city`s only Hotel, it is recently renovated with large rooms. </sleep>

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* <sleep name="Hotel Alfa" alt="" address="31 Krasnoflotskaya St" directions="at the northwestern end of Lenin Square" phone="+7 (42435) 4-10-10" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="Rates start from 5600 RUB, but discounts may be available if you talk to the manager, who speaks fairly good English – he gets pretty upbeat about foreign visitors." lat="" long="" email="" fax="">The city's only hotel, it was recently renovated and has large rooms. </sleep>

==Contact==

==Contact==

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The Post Office of Lenin Square, has two computers with Internet access

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The Post Office on Lenin Square has two computers with Internet access.

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{{related|Russia_to_Japan_via_Sakhalin}}

{{cityguide}}

{{cityguide}}

{{isIn|Sakhalin}}

{{isIn|Sakhalin}}

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Revision as of 20:02, 13 September 2011

Korsakov[1] (Russian: Корса́ков, kahr-SAH-kuhf; Japanese: 大泊) is a port town of 36.652 people in Sakhalin Oblast, Russia. It is located at the southern tip of the island on the shores of Anniva Bay, some 42 km south of the island's primary city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. While rather drab, with few things to entertain the visitor, it does host one of the two ferry connections between Russia and Japan.

Contents

Get in

By train

Further information available
See also the itinerary Russia to Japan via Sakhalin for more information on the northern connection between the Trans Siberian railway and Japan

There are connections to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and the island's main airport by a Japanese built narrow gauge railway, but services are random and far between – buses are far more convenient. If the train is your thing, there were 3 daily scheduled departures at the time of writing, departing Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk at 05:30, 13:45 and 19:44.

By bus

There are both scheduled and "leave when full" minibus connections between Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Korsakov. Both depart in front of the Yuzhno-Sakhalin railway station. Minibuses are the most convenient: ask around with the different drivers, they will point you to the right bus. Journey time ranges between 30 to 60 minutes depending on the driver and traffic conditions, and the price is around 200 RUB. The public bus 115 takes 90 minutes for the same trip, and costs around 100 RUB.

The Eins Soya ferry running between Sakhalin and Japan

By ferry

Wakkanai, Japan –
Ferries depart for Wakkanai on Hokkaido, Japan, from the sea terminal (Морвокзал) on the southern pier (Южно порт), Service is limited to late May-early June through to late September-early October (varies every year), due to ice conditions in the strait. Ticket sales in Korsakov are handled by the Inflot agency, whose office is on the 1st floor of the the large 3 story Upravlinie building next to the sea terminal. The ferry is Japanese operated by the Heartland Ferry company [2].
If you arrive by ferry to Sakhalin, it is highly recommended to have some Russian rubles with you. There are no exchange facilities and no ATM machines in the terminal. Note that you will probably need a taxi to take you to the bus station to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. You can exchange some Russian rubles in the banks in Wakkanai (ask around).

Yuzhno-Kurilsk, Kurile Islands –
There is a ferry service between Korsakov and Yuzhno-Kurilsk on Kunashir Island in the Kurils, operated by the Igor Farkhutdinov passenger vessel, however there is no set schedule, as the ship departs only when there is freight to carry, the only way to buy tickets are through a tour agency on Sakhalin.

Mainland Russia –
There are also ferry services on combined freight/passenger ships to and from the mainland, but schedules and tickets are very hard to come by if you don't speak Russian. A much easier option to the mainland is the daily scheduled ferry from Kholmsk.

Get around

Map of Korsakov

Unscheduled minibuses and taxis provide the city's quite limited transportation. However, the town is compact, and you can easily cover most places on foot.

See

There is very little in the way of sights in Korsakov, although there is a great view over the harbor, along with an uninspiring monument, on the hill just behind the sea terminal. The main drag, Sovetskaya Street, is lined with small street stalls during spring and summer months, selling fresh fruits and vegetables. (According to a wikipedian, the strawberries are particularly good.)

Korsakov History Museum, 22 Krasnoflotskaya St.. A small museum with exhibitions about the Japanese possession (1905-1940).

Old Hokkaido Takushoku Bank. This crumbling building at the southeastern corner of the city park is one of the only visible remains of the Japanese possession of the city. Efforts to convert the building into a museum have yet to bear fruit, and the doors and windows have been barred.

Outside Korsakov there are a few beaches at the hamlets of Okhotsk (about 1 hour) and Prigorodnoye (about 30 minutes) which also host a few Japanese war monuments. Access to both of these sights requires a car or taxi.

Eat

There are a few restaurants located along Sovetskaya Street, going south from the central Lenin square. The restaurant inside Hotel Alfa has an English menu, with a selection of traditional Russian cuisine

Drink

Korsakov harbor

Penguin Bar, 9 Oktyabirskaya St, ☎(42435) 2-28-18. The Penguin pub is located in a local brewery, and carries locally produced beer on tap. The menu is rather limited: a few sandwiches and assorted bar food. It's a short walk from the sea terminal, and you may even meet the occasional foreign oil worker or seaman here if you are extremely lucky.

Sleep

Hotel Alfa, 31 Krasnoflotskaya St (at the northwestern end of Lenin Square), ☎+7 (42435) 4-10-10. The city's only hotel, it was recently renovated and has large rooms. Rates start from 5600 RUB, but discounts may be available if you talk to the manager, who speaks fairly good English – he gets pretty upbeat about foreign visitors..

Contact

The Post Office on Lenin Square has two computers with Internet access.

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